Sex Offenders with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Problems and Solutions from Around the Nation

Through NCCJD’s national information and referral process, we continue to see cases of sex offenses by people with I/DD that are well outside the stereotypical instances portrayed by the media. NCCJD’s white paper and webinar on the topic will highlight current issues in the field, as well as promising practices from across the country including:

Writing a community safety plan

Research from Ohio focusing on the characteristics and offense patterns of 160 individuals with DD

Ohio’s response to addressing the service needs of individuals with I/DD who have been convicted of committing a sexual offense

Specialized employment services for people with disabilities and sex offending behavior

Evaluations and risk assessments of people with I/DD

An overview of the negative impact of Megan’s law consequences on the I/DD population

Right to representation and how to provide effective representation to this population

Webinar participants will be the first to obtain NCCJD’s white paper on the topic of sex offenders with I/DD which delves even deeper into the issues addressed on the webinar. Join us for this thought-provoking and empowering webinar. View the session slides.View the transcript.

Violence in the Lives of People with Disabilities: Emerging Issues and Solutions for 2015 and Beyond

In 2014, the National Crime Victim Survey revealed that people with disabilities face a much greater risk of being victimized compared to those without disabilities (the rate of violent victimization for people with disabilities is nearly three times the rate compared to those without). This webinar addresses emerging issues in the field with a panel of experts and advocates covering topics like:

Using trauma-informed care principles when working with victims with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD)

Webinar participants will be the first to obtain NCCJD’s white paper on the topic of violence, abuse, and bullying which delves even deeper into the issues addressed on the webinar. Join us for this thought-provoking and empowering webinar, and find out how you can reduce violence in the lives of people with disabilities. View the session slides.View the transcript.

Wrapping Up Year 1: NCCJD's activities, the Pathways to Justice(TM) Model, and Q&A with NCCJD Staff

Join NCCJD staff on January 29th for a recap of where we’ve been, an introduction to the Pathways to Justice Model, and a chance for Q&A with NCCJD staff. The webinar will begin with Program Manager Leigh Ann Davis providing a brief re-cap of what NCCJD has accomplished in its first year of operation. Then Criminal Justice Fellow Kathryn Walker will use a case example to walk participants through the Pathways to Justice Model—developed by NCCJD as a collaboration and problem identification tool for communities.

The second half of the webinar will be an extended Q&A session with NCCJD staff, who will answer questions about any of our previous webinars, NCCJD’s activities, or any other pressing questions about the intersection of criminal justice and disability. View the session slides.View the transcript.

For more than 25 years, crisis intervention teams (CIT) have helped local communities come together to improve interactions between police and people living with mental illness. The goal of these programs is safer encounters between police and individuals in crisis, give police tools to respond to crisis situations and link people to mental health services. CIT programs also ensure better coordination between law enforcement agencies, mental health providers and other service providers, and individuals and families.

While CIT may not be a perfect fit to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it does provide lessons for the I/DD community on how to partner with law enforcement. Ms. Usher will share lessons on how to partner with police and build a sustainable change in local communities to address the needs of people with disabilities. View the session slides.View the transcript.

Day and Employment Opportunities for Individuals with I/DD and Forensic/Sexual Offending Behaviors

For the last 25 years the SES program at CLASS has supported individuals in a community-based, therapeutic work setting. Currently the program supports 58 individuals, both male and female, contracted through the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, and Rehabilitation Commission. Individuals who are forensically involved, SORB (Sex Offender Registry Board) identified, and/or exhibit dangerous behaviors present unique challenges regarding day and employment services. CLASS is a proud chapter of the Arc, The Arc of Greater Lawrence.

CLASS’s SES program employs a person-centered, data-based treatment model to provide effective vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with developmental, cognitive, mental health, and/or SORB-related, high-risk issues. The SES program structure relies on a staffing ratio of 1 to 4 and emphasizes the therapeutic value of employment for individuals with complex life experiences, psychiatric diagnoses and behavioral challenges. The SES treatment approach incorporates a multi-tiered model of universal expectations for all individuals in the program, which includes targeted group contingencies for identified issues and individualized treatment interventions designed to address significantly challenging issues. This webinar will provide an SES program overview and the obstacles and opportunities in providing this treatment modality will be discussed. View the session slides. View the transcript.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) -- A Hidden Disability

Criminal suspects and offenders often have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), a disability which is frequently undiagnosed and yet is often the key to understanding the individual and dealing with him or her. The American Bar Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, among others, have recently passed resolutions indicating the seriousness of this condition and the importance of recognition and treatment. Research indicates that 60% of individuals with this disorder will be arrested at some point in their lives and 50% will be incarcerated or placed in a locked mental health facility. A Canadian study of youth in juvenile facilities found 40 times the expected rate of individuals with FASD. This session will explore the reasons for these numbers as well as some strategies for appropriate intervention both before and after arrest. Dawnmarie Bisgard will describe some of the reasons for the response of individuals living with FASDs to law enforcement officers from the perspective of the affected individual. Ms. Bisgard will discuss strategies which were able to change an expected recidivism rate of 50% to 15% for youth with FASDs who were on Probation in the 17th Judicial District of Colorado during a study funded by the FASD Center for Excellence. View the session slides. View the transcript.

Alternatives to Incarceration for Criminal Offenders with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities

Criminal Offenders with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD) present unique challenges to the criminal justice system seeking to investigate and prosecute crime as well as to the social service system seeking to serve and assist this vulnerable population. Such individuals make up at least 9 – 10% of the prison population and some studies tell us that they may comprise as much as 50% of adult and juvenile offender populations. It is unquestioned that individuals with I/DD face distinct disadvantages in the system, resulting in convictions for more serious offenses and more prison time. The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program (CJAP) of The Arc of NJ seeks to overcome these disadvantages, while still ensuring that offenders take responsibility for criminal behavior, by arranging specific interventions that provide alternatives to incarceration through offender-specific Personalized Justice Plans. The CJAP also acts as a clearinghouse of information between the criminal justice and social service system in provide training and communication between the two systems. This webinar will review the obstacles and disadvantages faced by this population and provide an overview of the CJAP. View the session slides. View the transcript.

Suspects/Offenders' Issue Series: Disability Awareness Training; A Train the Trainer Program for First Responders

Everyone needs disability awareness training; this is not unique to first responders. However, a presence at situations that call for a response to challenging behaviors, alleged criminal conduct, physical and medical needs, assistance in a matter, or service and protection are imperative to the well-being and quality of life for the individual(s) first responders come in contact with. Individuals with disabilities may require response that would vary from everyday encounters. If you are not educated on this topic, results can be catastrophic.

Mr. Whalen, Chief Askey, and Captain Mann will introduce the main elements in training law enforcement, best ways to deliver training, challenges every police department has, and how Disability Awareness Training should be incorporated. They will also discuss the rold of law enforcement and how it may call for a different approach when interacting with an individual with a disability and how training plays a key role in ensuring proper response. View the session slides. View the transcript.

Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic

Join us for a webinar featuring a self-advocacy PSA, "Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic," by powerful self-advocates Kecia Weller and Molly Kennedy. Molly will join us as a presenter to explain what abuse is and the different forms abuse can take, and tell victims how to report abuse. She will explain the word "intimidation", and help victims understand that abuse is always unacceptable. She will also share their video. View the session slides. View the transcript.

Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities occurs at pandemic rates and yet offenders are rarely held accountable. Through an Office on Violence Against Women Arrest grant, Illinois developed model protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors that provides guidance for responding to violent crimes against people with disabilities. The protocols were developed through the collaborative efforts of victims with disabilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, disability service providers and other allies committed to criminal justice for crime victims with disabilities. The protocols guide law enforcement and prosecutors in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims with disabilities through model guidelines, investigative procedures, pre-trail motion examples, and legal considerations. This webinar will highlight Illinois’ statewide effort to develop the model protocols including the collaborative multi-disciplinary process, design challenges, training and technical assistance components and lessons learned. Key areas of the protocol will be reviewed as well as the process for statewide implementation. NCCJD webinar presenter, Shirley Paceley, working alongside victims with disabilities, facilitated the work group which developed the protocols; provided training of trainers on the protocols and is providing training and technical assistance across the state as the protocols are implemented. View the session slides. View the transcript.

According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report, an estimated 1.3 million nonfatal violent crimes occurred against persons with disabilities in 2012. Improved relations between the law enforcement and the disability communities are needed to reduce and respond effectively to criminal victimization of people with disabilities. In this webinar, Dr. Rosemary Hughes and Sgt. (retired) Michael Sullivan will discuss the results of a focus group study with groups of city and county law enforcement officers and groups of crime victims with disabilities in two states. Topics include the identification of barriers for effective working relationships between the police and people with disabilities as well as recommendations for improving the response of the criminal justice system to crime victims with disabilities. View the session slides. View the transcript.

Can You Hear Me? Connecting the Dots and Building Collaboration to Support People with Disabilities Who Experience Sexual Violence

This webinar explores issues frequently overlooked when addressing victimization, specifically sexual violence, against persons with disabilities. The issue of sexual victimization presents a huge grey area that is often side stepped, leaving survivors without supports and services. Dr. Frantz will share important information criminal justice and disability professionals need to know about how to effectively serve these victims and how our own attitudes, experiences, and skill set influence how we respond to survivors with disabilities. Participants will learn how “word choice” can impact the type of sexual assault services victims receive, the importance of “touch” as a proactive strategy for reducing risk of sexual victimization and understand how survivors with complex communication needs can testify in court. View the session slides. View the transcript.

Crime Victims with Disabilities: An Overview for Professionals in the Criminal Justice System

Dr. Nora Baladerian is the Director of the Disability, Abuse and Personal Rights Project in Los Angeles, CA; she has worked in the area of abuse of people with disabilities since 1972. She served as a Member of the California Children’s Justice Act Task Force, representing the interests of children with disabilities since 1993 to 2008. She is a former Board Member of the National Committee to Prevent Elder Abuse and Advisory Board Member of the American Bar Association’s Council on Victims. Dr. Baladerian is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist and Board Certified Crisis Responder. She has expertise in conducting evaluations of suspected sexual abuse and assessments with children and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as providing clinical intervention. She consults with attorneys and law enforcement agencies providing expert witness consultation, and serves as an expert panel member for the Los Angeles County Juvenile and Family Courts. Dr. Baladerian is the author of a several guidebooks for professionals, parents and individuals with disabilities, as well as the chapter on psychotherapy intervention for child crime victims with disabilities in the Standards of Care Guidebook developed by the California Victim’s Assistance Programs. As a media consultant she served as the character consultant for Benny on L.A. Law, and has worked with other TV shows, including Doogie Howser and 21 Jump Street as well as other film and print media activities. She hosted “Sexual Healing with Dr. Nora,” a radio talk/call-in show airing on KFNX in Phoenix, Arizona and WALE in Providence, RI for 1-1/2 years. Dr. Baladerian is the Clinical Director of the Counseling Center of West Los Angeles where she maintains a private practice in a group setting. She is the Project Coordinator for the Disability and Abuse Project of Spectrum Institute, and from 2000-2006 the Director of the CAN Do! Project, Child Abuse & Neglect Disability Outreach at Arc Riverside. View the session slides.

Introduction to The Arc's National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability (NCCJD)

In this general, introductory overview of NCCJD, learn about NCCJD’s mission, goals, partners, products and services, and find out how you can get involved and become better equipped to provide equal access to justice for individuals with I/DD in your own community and within your profession. The webinar’s target audience is purposefully broad to set the stage for more meaningful dialogue and deeper networking between the criminal justice and disability worlds. (Law enforcement and other first responders, legal professionals, forensic interviewers, victim advocates, disability advocates and other allied professionals are encouraged to view this archived session). View the session slides (PDF).